INSIDE CITY HALL HUSCROFT HOUSE Council...

INSIDE

CITY HALL

HUSCROFT HOUSE

Council members voted Monday to further delay a decision on the

Huscroft House so city staffers could have more time to work out a

deal to take the deteriorating structure off the city’s hands.

John Morehart, of 126 Properties LLC, said he was interested in

moving the house to his Westside lot, but his plan would require a

city-issued zoning change. His 12,000-square-foot lot is occupied by

two single-family homes and two townhomes. Morehart wants to demolish

the front home and replace it with the Huscroft House.

Morehart wants the city to pay to move the house to 548 Bernard

St., which officials estimate would cost about $41,000.

Demolition, which would involve removing asbestos and lead paint

used in the house, would cost the city $35,000, said Bill Morris, the

city’s director of public services.

Staffers are trying to negotiate a moving price that would be

comparable to the cost of demolition. Mayor Karen Robinson also said

she wanted to make sure any negotiation protected the city from any

liability once the house had been moved.

WHAT IT MEANS

City staffers will wait for Morehart to return from Europe before

resuming negotiations.

MODEL AIRPLANES

A group of model airplane fliers left City Hall soaring Monday

after council members voted to allow the use of electrical gliders at

Fairview Park.

Members of the Harbor Soaring Society, who have been flying

gliders and electric models at Fairview Park for years, said the park

has become the only place in Orange County that allows this type of

recreation.

In Fairview Park discussions, council members had been considering

a ban on electric gliders. Proponents of the electrical models argued

they were quiet, did not disturb neighbors and offered a “wholesome

activity” for residents.

Mayor Karen Robinson said that she agreed after spending a

Saturday afternoon at the park with members of the association and

wanted them to help draft various rules for that use.

The council voted to affirm the use of model airplanes at Fairview

Park and instructed staffers to work with the Harbor Soaring Society.

WHAT IT MEANS

City officials and fliers will work together to figure out the

best flying times, zones, rules and regulations for that portion of

the park.

COMMISSION TERMS

The council voted Monday to continue two-year terms for planning

and parks and recreation commissioners, saying aligning the terms

with City Council elections gives new council members a say in who

serves.

Council members are expected to begin recruiting residents to fill

the upcoming vacancies on the planning and parks and recreation

commissions. Several commissioners will be up for reappointment in

March, and officials want to open the positions up so other residents

get a shot.

Councilmen Gary Monahan and Allan Mansoor argued for four-year

staggered terms so the council would not have to reappoint the entire

commission every two years.

“We need that consistency,” Monahan said.

Councilman Chris Steel disagreed.

WHAT IT MEANS

Planning and parks and recreation commissioners will still be

appointed every two years.

-- Compiled by Lolita Harper